Improvement in wind-engines



H. GROFT, sr., & H. GROPT, Jr.

Wind-Engine.

Patented March 1951818.

lily 3.

N. PETERS, PMOTQALITHUGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

HENRY OROFT, SR., AND HENRY GROF'I, JR., OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT I N WIND-ENGINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 201,334, dated March 19, 1878 application filed February 8, 1878.

.To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that We, HENRY CROET, Sr., and HENRY CROFT, Jr., of Springeld, in the county of Clarke and State oi Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in find-Engines; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdey of the turn-table and its bearings.

Upon the top of the derrick or frame-work (of any suitable construction) we secure a' slightly-tapering metal socket, A, as shown more particularly in Fig. 3. This socket forms the bearing for the turn-table B, which last is constructed as follows: The upper portion is a quadrilateral frame, from which extends on opposite sides brackets C and D, in the former of which is journaled the shaft that carries the wind-wheel E, of any suitable con` struction, while in the latter is pivoted the support F of the tail-vane G. Just under the platform of the turn-table, and forming an integral part thereof, is an annular disk, H, supported by brackets, and between which and the base of the turn-table are journaled four equidistant wheels, I, as shown. These latter bear against the upper or sleeve portion of the socket A, and their function will be explained farther on. Extending from the under side of the platform, at or about its middle, is a tapering sleeve or spindle, J, Fig. 3, which enters and lits loosely in the socket A. The bottom of this sleeve enters a chilled box or bearing, K, which is iitted into the bottom of the socket A. In this box are one or more washers, a, on which rests the lower end of the sleeve J.

This construction and arrangement form a very strong and Very smooth bearing for the turn-table, the only points of contact being in the chilled box and upon the upper outer part of the socket A, where the wheels I bear and travel as the table revolves. v

We are aware that it is not new to rest the turn-table upon friction-rollers or balls; but these were only to support the Weight of the superimposed devices, While by our application and arrangement they are used to diminish the lateral strain caused by the pressure of the wind against the Wheel, and they do not Aaid in bearing the Weight of the turn-table. Between the ears of the bracket D We pivot the tail-vanesupport F, and the pivot of this support and of the vane extends upward to form a standard, L, Whose top is recessed. The pivoted end of the support F has rightangular shoulders b, which limit its rotation to an arc of ninety degrees, (900,) or less. When the tail-vane is in line With the wheel shaft or spindle one of these shoulders bears against a rib on the frame of the turn-table and between the ears of the bracket D; and when the vane swings around, the other shoulder comes in contact with the other side of the rib, and limits the vibration of the vane.

To prevent injury to the parts by the sudden swinging ofl the vane, We attach rubber From a recess in the rear end of the support F extends a rod or piece of gas-pipe, M. To

the outer end of this rod the vane is directly bolted. Slipped upon this rod, and just in front of the vane, is a four-way sleeve, N, Fig. 1. This sleeve forms the bearings for the short laterally-projecting arms O, which may also be of gas-pipe.

On the end of the support F are lateral ears d, (seen in Fig. 1,) and from these ears extend brace-rods P, which pass through eyes or slots in the extremities ofthe arms O, and arebolted to each side, respectively, of the vane, as indicated. This forms a light but very strong frame for the vane, and renders it safe from sudden side jars in a violent wind.

To balance the vane, we extend a rod, R,

Fig. 2, from near its outer extremity to the top of the standard L, where its end is bent, and enters the recess or socket in the top of the said standard. This rod aids the abovedescribed frame-work in bearin g the weight of the vane; and by pivoting it in the top of the standard, we make its axis of rotation coin-v cident with that of the vane.

S is thebell-crank governor-arm, ofthe shape shown, pivoted near its middle to the bent end of an arm, F ,which extends rearwardlyfrom the turn-table, just under the supportF. Upon the lower end of the arm S is an adjustable sliding weight, e, of any convenient construction; and from a point near the middle of the upper portion of the governor-arm 'extends a link-rod, f, which is pivoted upon a stud, g, which projects upward from a lug, g', on the end of the support F. This link and the governor-arm should lie nearly in the same plane, so that as the governor-arm is raised by the swinging of the tailvane the raising force is at right angles to the pivotal axis of the governor-arm. By this arrangement we can employ a simple bolt for the governor-arm pivot, and can dispense with swivel-joints, which some use for this purpose. Y

Upon the end of the wheel-spindle h is a crank, h', from which extends upward and through an opening in the top of the turntable frame a pitman, i, whose top is pivoted upon a pin, j, extending from a box, k. This last is adj ustably attached by a set-screw upon a vertical hollow rod, m, which passes down through the turn-table, the sleeve J, and the derrick, and forms the piston-rod of the pump, in the usual way.

The drain p, which extends from the upper outer end of the governor-arm and desccnds through the rod m, passes over a sheave, n, pivoted in the top of a standard, q', whose lower end is pivoted, so as to turn freely, in the top cross-piece of the turn-table frame.

The arrangement of this standard and pulley is such that the chain descends from the pulley in a vertical line directly through the rod m, thus avoiding the danger as the rod descends.

Having described our invention, we claim as follows:

l. In a wind-engine, the tapering socket A, having in its bottom a'chilled box, in which the spindle-sleeve of the turn-table rests and rotates, substantially as set forth.

2. The turn-table B, consisting of a rectangular frame-work, carrying on opposite sides the brackets C and l) and the arm F', and having the integral annular disk H and wheels I, and provided with a spindle-sleeve, J, which has its bearing in the socket A, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In combination with the turn-table, the

pivoted standard q, carrying a sheave, u, arranged to convey the chain p in a vertical line throughthe center of the hollow rod, m, substantially as set forth. 4. The vane-support F, pivoted between the ears of the bracket D, and having the rightangular shoulders b, provided with rubber buffers c, and having on its recessed rear end the ears d and lug g', substantially as set forth.

5. The standard L, carrying the pivoted end of the vane-supporting rod It, and coincident with the tail-vane pivot, substantially as set forth'.

6. In combination with the tail-vane, the lateral brace-rods P, sleeve N, and arms O, arranged substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination, with the turn-table, constructed as described, of the spindle h, crank h', pitman i, adjustable boxK, and hollow rod m, the whole arranged substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

Witness our hands this 15th day of VJanuary, A. D. 1878.

HENRY GROFT, SR. HENRY CROFT, JR.

Witnesses:

J. S. CHRISTIE, NIMROD MYERs. 

